Thanks for having me

[Relpet]

My wife offered me a metal detector for Christmas and I ended up with a telescope.  It's a long story.

I am lucky enough to spend half the year in a village in south-west France where clear night skies can be quite breathtaking and you don't need to get anyone's permission to explore the heavens.

I bought an 8" Dobsonian from Telescope House which I intend to bring down soon.  In the meantime I chanced upon a 4" Newtonian in the local Troc (a depot where people can put secondhand goods on display at a fixed price and the depot takes a cut) for 48 euros.  Apart from a wing nut on the tripod it was in great nick.  Finderscope is flaky though and eyepieces that obviously came with it next to useless but I have bought a couple of new ones and this 'scope must be one of the bargains of my life.  Three days before we got clear skies but the crescent moon of the last two nights has been spectacular, even with the 4".  Thousands of unknown and previously unseen stars floating across the eyepiece have kept me out in the dark for hours.

I've bought all the books and watched endless YouTube videos but there's nothing like talking to a knowledgeable enthusiast to flatten the learning curve.  If there is anyone else within a short distance of Boulogne-sur-Gesse in Haute-Garonne I would welcome an opportunity to have a chat.

[Dave Lloyd]

Welcome Relpet. p.s Don't publicise the free skies too much. Someone will see a tax opportunity:-)

[PeterCPC]

Welcome to SGL.

Peter

[damnut]

Hi Relpet,

WArm welcome to SGL, my sister used to live in Tarbes so I know what a lovely part of France you are in.  The only other contributor on SGL in southern France is Olly but he is about 300 miles east near Orpierre. Would be a nice drive though!

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Welcome replet to SGL. Your in for a real treat when you get your 200 Dob set up. Enjoy

[hippie]

Welcome to SGL  .

[sologuitarist61]

Hello and a warm welcome to SGL - enjoy that metal detector ...... scope I mean!

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL

[glowjet]

Hi Relpet and welcome to SGL, enjoy the forum and your new scope

[fondofchips]

Hi Relpet & welcome to SGL.

[Dave In Vermont]

Greetings and welcome to SGL! Nice to have you aboard. Feel free to ask us any questions about this wild and wonderous avocation. Helping others is what we love!

Clear Skies,

Dave

[xtreemchaos]

hi mate and welcome from south wales,you have come to the right place for all things spacey and more.all the best.charl.

[SteveA]

Welcome aboard 

[Cath]

Hello Relpet

Viewing the skies can all too easily get far too expensive (permission or otherwise). You have been warned !

Cath

[swag72]

Hi and welcome to SGL - glad that you found us and hope that you enjoy your time here.

Look forward to seeing you around

[Mr Spock]

Hi, welcome to SGL Given the weather we have maybe you should have taken the metal detector

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Clear skies

[BobSki]

Hello Relpet and a warm welcome to the star-crazy gang. I hope you really enjoy your hobby and have a great time with your new friends on this wonderful forum.

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire

[Vox45]

Hello and welcome to the forum

Clear skies !

[Relpet]

Thank you all.  I don't think I've ever had such a warm welcome anywhere, even with a crate of beer in the car!

[HIP3802]

Hi, Relpet, and a warm welcome to SGL!

[Bizibilder]

Hello Relpet and welcome to SGL!!

[Stropper]

Hi and welcome

Where about in SW France? I'm in the northern Dordogne

As you say great skies plus so many other things to make living here the best

[Charon]

Welcome aboard.